Posted on Jan 15, 2008 under Public Speaking |
One of the best advice I can give you is this:
Entertain, inform, and inspire your audience with stories.
How does one tell a good story?
In a story we have several key players, the narrator and the characters. Instead of just you narrating the whole thing (which would make it ho-hum exposition), let your characters tell the story. How? Through dialogue and your physical and verbal portrayal of these characters. Before you could do so, however, you will need to have a clear understanding of your characters.
Here are the steps to creating a vivid portrait of your chosen character:
1. Pick a major character from a story that you plan to tell for a speech.
2. Download the “Character Analysis Sheet” that I’ve attached to this blog post.
3. On a separate sheet of paper, write down answers to the questions/prompts posed. As you can see on the handout, I’ve organized related items into clusters: “Vital Statistics,” “Physical Traits,” “Possessions & Activities,” “Take a Peek Inside” (psychological elements), “Backstory,” “What Else Is Important to Know about Your Characters.”
There are many more questions you can ask. Be as detailed in your answers as possible. This is the type of analysis that I had to do (and chose to do) when I acted in plays and dramatic scenes. After completing this exercise, I would have sheets of materials to work with.
4. Look through your answers and pick a couple that will help you portray the character in the most interesting fashion that still advances the story.
In one of my past speeches, I was sharing with my audience about a significant encounter with three characters, all of whom I met within a ten-minute time frame. The three characters were: a tall, burley, clean-shaven young man; an opportunistic, eager little boy holding an ice cream cone; and a white-whiskered, limping old man. These descriptions were all pertinent to the story, of course.
I had specific body posture, movement, and voice dedicated to each character. I also put in my own reactions - physical and verbal - to each. Throw in a couple of dialogue, and I had my audience at the edge of their seats.
All due to the fact that I had done my character analysis homework.
I encourage you to do the same for your speeches. You will find that the more detective work you do to give life to flesh-and-blood characters, the better a storyteller you are, and the more impactful your speech will be for your audience.
Posted on Sep 21, 2007 under Public Speaking |
Hi, everyone. I am very excited to debut my first public speaking CD.
I currently ship the CD only to
U.S. locations, but I am working on getting the MP3 version uploaded to the website for purchase.
Therefore, my international readers, please stay tuned!
Below is a description of what’s on the CD:
“Panic to Power: Swift and Simple Speaking Strategies Anyone Can Use”Featuring 3 World Champion Speakers and a Special Guest!
This CD contains over 65 minutes of powerful public speaking strategies and engaging personal “panic” stories as told by four top speakers.
Here is what you will learn:
Ø The “10X Phenomenon,” encountered by both novice and experienced speakers alike, and when to use it to your advantage
Ø What to do about your nerves
Ø How to prepare yourself mentally for your presentations
Ø How to connect with your audience
Ø What to do when you flib a line during your speech
Ø Are great speakers born or made?
Ø How to deal with disruptive audience members
Ø What topics to speak on if you are just starting out
Ø How to make other people’s materials your own
Ø Should you write out your speech?
Ø How to deal with those critical inner voices
Ø How to enliven your presentations with stories
And more!
You will learn from the following speakers:
Craig Valentine, the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking
Craig, the President of The Communication Factory, presents programs on Change, Communications, Teambuilding, Performance, Leadership, and Motivation. He has been the “Salesperson of the Year” for a division of Glencoe/McGraw-Hill by achieving 233% of his goal His vast business experience along with his MBA from Johns Hopkins University has made him a highly sought-after sales, management, and communications trainer.
“… dynamic and inspirational, energizing and entertaining. It was a truly amazing experience to participate in!” said Jackie Hunt, Purchasing Agent of Principal Financial Group, about one of Craig Valentine’s presentations.
Ed Tate, the 2000 World Champion of Public Speaking
Ed is an international keynote speaker, author, trainer and facilitator for Fortune 500 companies and associations worldwide. Some of his clients include Dell Computers, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, LendingTree.com, Nestle, Verizon Communication. As an author, Ed co-wrote the book Motivational Selling, Advice on Selling Effectively, Staying Motivated, and Being a Peak Sales Producer. He is also a contributor to the books, Stories Trainers Tell, The Seven Strategies of Master Presenters, and in 2006, Leadership Made Simple. Additionally, Ed co-produced the audio albums Speaking Secrets of the Champions, and Connect with Any Audience. He’s known as the speaker who Energizes, Educates and Entertains. One of his topics of expertise is leadership.
“The measure of a speech is not in the awards or praise a speaker receives… The measure of a speech is in its ability to change behavior. Ed’s speech challenged me to re-think some of my own responses, and made me want to change the way I do things,” praised Marsha H. Perkins of Federal Express about one of Ed Tate’s speeches.
Darren LaCroix, the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking.
As co-founder of The Humor Institute and a co-creator of The Humor Boot Camp, Darren directs seminars that help presenters wisely use the power of humor to “lighten up” their presentations. Darren has roused audiences in faraway places like Oman, Malaysia, and Taiwan with his inspirational journey from first-rate chump to first-class champ, proving anything is possible if you’re willing to work for it. The self-proclaimed “student of comedy” is living proof that humor is a skill that can be learned. Darren’s story not only won him the World Championship, but he tells his story to inspire audiences who are up against challenges and deal with rejection. His successful book, Laugh & Get Rich: How to Profit from Humor in Any Business, contains interviews with corporate executives who share his philosophy.
“I will never give another speech without feeling your terrific and uplifting influence,” said Debbie Depp of The Fenemore Group about Darren LaCroix’s Humor Bootcamp.
Joanne Chen, Public Speaking and Accent Reduction Coach
Joanne’s background includes PR/marketing, broadcast and print journalism, event hosting and planning, and the performing arts. She is one of the founding members of the Jest in Time Comedy Troupe and the Vice President of Public Relations of North Coast Toastmasters. A past recipient of the “Employee of the Year” award at the San Diego branch of Abanco International, Joanne holds a B.A. in History (with a concentration in History of Science) from the University of California at Berkeley. As a speaker and performer, Joanne is known for her creativity, sense of humor, physical comedy, and dramatic storytelling. Her Life Purpose is to broaden people’s minds and touch their hearts, and to inspire them to make positive changes for themselves and the people around them.
“Speaking of exceptional, your last speech was outrageous. I want to learn some of your techniques. You’re a great storyteller,” said Maya Bailey, “Law of Attraction” Personal and Business Coach.
Your purchase of the “Panic to Power” CD also includes a FREE subscription to Joanne Chen’s Public Speaking e-Newsletter. Buy now and start on the path of becoming a phenomenal speaker!